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Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) — Poeciliidae

Ten spotted live-bearer

Cnesterodon decemmaculatus
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern South America; calm shallow ditches, pools and streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The tenspot livebearer is a small livebearer (Poeciliidae) from southern South America. The species is small and has a silvery body with a row of dark spots on the flank, to which the name refers; males are smaller and have a gonopodium for internal fertilisation. It inhabits calm, shallow waters such as ditches, pools and slow-flowing streams. As an omnivore it feeds on mosquito larvae, small zooplankton, algae and detritus. The female bears live young. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ten spotted live-bearer?

The Ten spotted live-bearer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Row of dark flank blotches; ovoviviparous fish, male with a gonopodium.

Where does the Ten spotted live-bearer live?

The Ten spotted live-bearer lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern South America; calm shallow ditches, pools and streams.

How big does the Ten spotted live-bearer get?

The Ten spotted live-bearer grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Ten spotted live-bearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Ten spotted live-bearer is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ten spotted live-bearer edible?

The Ten spotted live-bearer is not usually eaten.

More photos

Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) inzaenity, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) — Poeciliidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — CHUCAO (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — CHUCAO (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ten spotted live-bearer (Cnesterodon decemmaculatus) — Poeciliidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Santiago Mailhos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ten spotted live-bearer verified
Scientific name
Cnesterodon decemmaculatus
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southern South America; calm shallow ditches, pools and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Midge larvae, small zooplankton, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Row of dark flank blotches; ovoviviparous fish, male with a gonopodium. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cnesterodon

Carnegie's toothcarp (Cnesterodon carnegiei) — Poeciliidae
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Fin

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